The upcoming Korean thriller “PAGWA”, directed by Min Kyu Dong, has secured an official selection in the competition section of the 43rd Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF). The festival, one of the world’s top three fantastic film festivals alongside the Sitges Film Festival in Spain and Fantasporto in Portugal, will run from April 8 in Belgium.

Distributor NEW confirmed the news on March 20, stating, “PAGWA has been officially invited to the competition section of the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. We look forward to sharing this intense thriller with international audiences.”

This marks Min Kyu Dong’s third entry at the festival. His directorial debut, “Memento Mori”, was first invited to BIFFF, followed by “Horror Stories 2”, which won the Silver Raven Award. His return with “PAGWA” solidifies his presence in the global genre film scene.

The film festival organizers highlighted their selection rationale, stating, “PAGWA delivers a visually striking thriller, powered by the mesmerizing performance of Lee Hye Young in the role of a deadly assassin.” The recognition of Lee’s portrayal of an aging yet formidable killer, coupled with Min’s refined visual storytelling, has drawn attention from international cinephiles.

Korean films have continued to make an impact at BIFFF. Last year, “Exhuma” (directed by Jang Jae Hyun) was invited to the festival’s international competition section, while “Sleep” earned the Best Debut Director Award. “PAGWA” now follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, adding to the growing global presence of Korean cinema.

Even before its official release, “PAGWA” has been attracting strong interest from international festivals. Earlier this year, it was invited to the Berlinale Special section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, signaling a warm reception from global audiences.

The film revolves around a legendary contract killer, Jokak (played by Lee Hye Young), who finds herself in a deadly battle against a mysterious assassin, Tuwoo (played by Kim Sung Cheol). With its gripping narrative and intense action sequences, anticipation for the film continues to build.

“PAGWA” is set to hit Korean theaters on May 1, further fueling expectations for its success on both domestic and international stages.

Sayart / ReaA JUNG, queen7203@gmail.com